I, Draugr Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Needless to say that the Necromancers did not surrender despite being scared shitless.

"W-What the fuc-" One of them started before going quiet when Aurelia effortlessly cleaved one of the staggered Death Knights in half with a lazy swing of her greatsword.

It is clearly enchanted against the Undead, as I can see the slashed parts have seemingly melted under the blade as it passed through.

So the possible holy enchantment sets fire to the Undead, similar to how the Dawnbreaker worked in the game. Minus the big explosion on death, that is.

Once the bisected corpse hits the floor, that's when the pure terror finally starts to set in. And, of course, is further amplified by me putting a hole through the last Death Knight look alike.

They went from confident defiance to 'Oh shit, I don't wanna die!' in a split second after that. Some people really are too confident sometimes.

"I'd suggest running, but…" I shrug as Aurelia stomps forth, large blade poised and ready to reap lives without care, "You might as well just accept death."

"No! Wai-!" Aurelia, of course, does not wait. The plea for mercy was cut off with a head flying through the air, an expression of terror etched upon it.

The Dark Elf Necromancer shrieked in fear, then soon burst into flames as she grit her teeth and lift her flame-coated hands. "You fucking bitch!" The flames rumbled and crackled as they gathered within her palms, further enhanced by the Ancestor's Wrath ability she very likely just activated.

Damn, those flames sure are insanely hot. She's turning the stones around her into slag.

Still, I do not let her get finish charging up whatever Spell she is preparing for and drown her beneath an enormous Ray of Frost wave that swallows her whole.

Hell, with the massive enhancement from the Magistone Staff, the beam could have easily swallowed even the huge Death Knights! I'm liking this puppy more and more.

The woman screeches and tries to fight back, but no matter how hot her flames are, my Ray of Frost is just too intense for her to fight back, so she soon turns into a frozen corpse.

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

Oh? The Death Knights only gave me normal Souls?

What's the requirements for Souls to become Greater? These guys surely aren't weren't normal or weak Necromancers, especially with how they had an Undead fucking Ogre guarding the entrance and the two super well equipped Death Knights look-alike.

"One more left, right?" I ask as I turn my gaze towards Aurelia, only for her to snort and nod down the tunnel leading to the sealed door.

I tilt my head and turn my eyes to look the way she nodded towards, then snort myself.

Looks like the old Necromancer was sent flying by her Fus Shout and ended up bodily triggering some arrow traps.

"Looks like a fat porcupine." I muse to myself, earning another snort from Aurelia. "Either way, seems like I gobbled up enough Souls." She blinks in confusion for a short second before her eyes widen lightly.

So I spread my arms wide, "Set thy gaze upon mine brilliance!" I announce grandiosely before I start glowing brightly.

['Skeleton Fighter' Race Modification has been selected!]

[10 Souls have been used for Race Advancement!]

[Multiple Evolutions are available!]

Hm? Multiple, you say?

[Undead Acolyte]

Knowledgeable in Fleshcrafting and Blood Magic. Good in Necromancy, but bad at Conjuration. Requires a lot of corpses-

Yeah, fuck that class. Nope.

[Undead Warlock]

Focused on Destruction Magics, the Warlock is knowledgeable in Frost and Spark Magics. With far greater reserves, they can fuel their devastating Spells with greater ease.

Much better, and perhaps even the one I might pick.

[Undead Spellsword]

A blade in one hand, a Spell in the other, and a body enhanced by magic. Beasts in the battlefield, and wielders of Destruction and Alteration Magics. A high cost, high risk type of fighter.

That's… cool as fuck...

I have two very good classes, both with clearly differing fighting styles – Not that my dumbass 'punch your arm up the asshole of a Dragon' will listen – but still.

Alteration Magic… I never liked it in the game unless it was with good Mods, or for exploiting the Level Up and Legendary System.

And I do not know how different it is here, so I'd rather not gable too hard…

So Warlock it is-

[Requirements for a Special Evolution have been met!]

Excuse you?

[Sacred Acolyte]

A corpse preserved with Holy Magics, something only done to the servants of the Church of Arkay. Capable of Conjuring Spirits and wielding powerful Restorative Magics, this type of Undead loses their weakness to the Holy and gains one towards the Dark Arts.

...Holy fuck.

This… Isn't a coincidence. Arkay must have done something, I'm sure of it.

His gaze must be on Aurelia due to her being his follower and the Dragonborn, so I'm sure he'll be giving her special treatment in the future.

And that includes an Undead being like me?

I'm gonna dap that brother from another mother when I see him.

['Sacred Acolyte' Race Evolution has been selected!]

[Souls needed for next Race Evolution – 0/ 50]

Do you want me to massacre a small village, you fucker!?

[The potency of your Spells has increased!]

[Your 'Conjure Undead Minion' Spell has changed to 'Conjure Spirit Familiar'!]

[Your Skill 'Necromantic Soul' has changed to 'Blessed Soul'.]

[Blessed Soul]

Conjured Spirits gains elemental affinities related to yours, enhancing their attacks and resistances towards them, but also further enhancing their weaknesses related to said affinities.

[Restoration Path – Holy Magic]

The power to heal wounds with a wave of the hand, to conjure wards with a flick of the wrist, and to cast powerful buffs upon allies with a thought. The useful power loved by the living and hated by the Undead.

[Two additional Spell Slots have been unlocked!]

Race – Sacred Acolyte

Souls; (0)

Greater Soul; (1)

Skill/s;

[The Cold touch of Death.] (Passive)

[Blessed Soul] (Passive)

Magic Spells;

[Arcane Cannon] (2/10)

[Conjure Spirit Familiar] (2/5)

[Ray of Frost] (1/5)

(Magic Spell slot available) x2

Holy fuck, that's a lot. My brain just got spammed with everything all at once, goddamn…

Still, I am not disappointed. I can feel the massive changes and the enormous increase to my reserves, and damn am I very satisfied and loving this.

I can't imagine the sheer power a now charged up Arcane Cannon can pack. Mirmulnir took a mildly charged up one up the ass and died from it, so any other Dragons around his level of strength won't be much of an issue now. Maybe.

Can't get too overconfident.

"Leo?" Aurelia calls out softly, and I snap out of my thoughts.

"Apologies if I worried you, my friend." I tell her honestly, then pause and tilt my head. Am I… Taller than her now?

I look at her, then down at myself. Indeed, I am now a few inches taller than her. Interesting change, perhaps caused by the Fighter Modification.

Speaking of which, I don't feel different after I took that up, nor did I seemingly gain anything. Perhaps it's not something I can notice on a surface level.

Aurelia sags her shoulders in relief once I speak up, a beatific smile pulling at her lips, "You were just staring vacantly into the air for a minute once the glow died down." Ah, I was processing the rush of information pumped into me.

"Forgive me, it seems I have gained quite a few things it seems, in fact…" I raise my gloved hand – luckily everything still fits my newly grown body, even though it feels different – and create a sparkle of dense aquamarine light.

Hm? Why is it this color?

Aurelia instead gapes at the sparkle of radiant lights, "I-Is that… Holy Magic?" Her gaze turns towards my face, face unreadable, "Why is your existence so damn wrong?"

"The fact that me simply being me irks you is something that satisfies me greatly."

"It's a good thing you have Holy Magic now, so I can crack your skull whenever I feel like it."

How violent. And sexy.

I sniff, then look at the glowing green colored glow in my hands, "Shouldn't it be golden though?" I'd say its because the blue of my frost and the gold of the Holy Magic fused together make green, but I feel like that's bullshit.

"Your eyes changed too…" Aurelia muses as she draws close, one hand coming up to pull my hood back a fraction as she peers close. "Yeah… They are light green flames now."

If I could, I'd gulp right now due to her close proximity. Luckily, I can't do that.

She steps back, and I pause as I turn my gaze back to my raised arm. Using my free hand, I grasp the sleeves and pull them back, only to tilt my head in surprise at the sight.

I am not a skeleton anymore, now I seem to have some layers of dried skin over my bones. Skin that glows with a faint golden luster. "Great, I am starting to look more and more like a rotten corpse."

Looks like I won't be removing these clothes anytime soon to stare at myself.

Hopefully I don't start stinking like a corpse too.

"Do you feel alright?" My friend questions, a faint hint of worry in her voice, which would make me smile softly if I could.

"Of course. Now I feel like I can be more useful that usual." I'll have to create a powerful Buff Spell to use on her soon, as it might come in handy.

Aurelia huffs softly at my words, "I wouldn't replace you for anyone else even if you were incredibly weak."

…

Her cheeks flush more and more with each passing second I quietly stare at her in wonder.

Then said flush goes nuclear when she realizes what she said, and a cute squeak escapes her lips as she jumps up, "B-Because I have to keep an Undead being like you in my sight at all times! W-Who knows what sort of dastardly things you'd do without me around!"

That's so fucking cute.

Somehow, her flush grows even darker as I say nothing, so she angrily turns away from me and stomps towards the tunnel, "Let's just go open the damn door!" She growls out through gritted teeth, all flushed and cute.

I hold back a snort and go to follow before I remember about a change to my Conjuration Spell.

Might as well check it out now-

[Conjure Spirit Familiar]

Restless Spirits born from nature, resentments, war or other reasons. Reach into Oblivion to Conjure them to your bidding; Far smarter than Undead, but not as durable.

(Current available Spirits; Flaming Familiar, Spirit Sword, Spirit Arrow)

Modification/s: Minion Up! x2

(2/5)

I couldn't help it.

I squealed and instantly conjured the Flaming Familiar.

Aurelia gapes at me as I gush all over the four large flaming wolves. The goodest of all good boys, eager to lunge and kamikaze themselves for their one true lord and summoner.

Oh, I am so going to love using you puppies.

I'm gonna turn you fuckers into Thermonuclear Wolves, I swear to the fucking Divines.

I was gonna be a problem before, but now I am gonna commit war-crimes with these wolves.

I mean, am I really breaking the Geneva Convention when it doesn't exist in the first place here?

Am I really doing anything wrong?

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

Hm? Oh, the dead old man. Forgot about his ass.

But now… Time to make these puppies overpowered.

[Conjure Spirit Familiar]

Restless Spirits born from nature, resentments, war or other reasons. Reach into Oblivion to Conjure them to your bidding; Far smarter than Undead, but not as durable.

(Current available Spirits; Flaming Familiar, Spirit Sword, Spirit Arrow)

Modification/s: Minion Up! X3, Power Up! x2

(4/5)

One normal Soul, then a Greater Soul for a double upgrade.

"Aurelia, my dear… Please stand back and let my wolves deal with these filthy undead within the crypt."

If they don't make this bitch collapse on detonation, then I ain't satisfied.

                                                                                 xxxXXXxxx

He is Borgas, once esteemed High King, last of the grand Ysgramor Dinasty, wearer of the Jagged Crown that still resides on his head even in death.

And now, he finally awakens from his rest as the doors to his crypt are opened by a bunch of fools.

His four high guards awaken, their coffin lids bursting open as they groaned and stood, casting a menacing sight within the dimly lit crypt with their imposing bodies clad in rusty and dust-covered ancient Nordic Armor.

Soon, their weapons filled their large hands, yet Borgas remains seated upon his throne.

For he is a grand High King. These fools will have the honor of facing his esteemed self only once and if they manage to get through his Royal Guards.

Not that he has any hopes for these wolves- Wait… Why is a group of eight flaming wolves flowing into his crypt?

The flaming creatures approached his throne and his Royal Guards without care, wagging their tails and panting.

Borgas is disgusted, as he is a lover of cats-

As one, the wolves start howling.

As one, the wolves start glowing a blinding white-hot color that turns the stones below them into molten slag.

As one, the wolves explode with all the might of artillery salvo straight in the face of the mighty Borgas and his Royal Guards.

His crown clatters to the ground, and Borgas finds his stunned consciousness slowly fade away from that sudden attack.

And the last thing the grand High King hears is;

"I bet his bitch-ass ain't even worth a Greater Soul."

Thus ends the undead life of High King Borgas, last of the grand Ysgramor Dinasty, wearer of the Jagged Crown.

Felled by suicidal flaming wolves.

                                                                                   xxxXXXxxx

"His ass ain't makin' it to Sovngarde, that's for sure." Do I feel bad? Nah.

It was hilarious, honestly. My glorious puppies are truly machines of destruction.

Imagine raining them down like meteors…

"I have a feeling all of Skyrim will want to burn you at the stake for this." Aurelia muses to herself, and I just wave her off, no matter how right she is.

Some of the most staunch Nords will have a fuckin' stroke, that's for sure.

"Eh, we got a lot of money to cash-in on though?" I joke as I pick up the dusty Jagged Crown made of dragon materials and toss it towards Aurelia.

A quick peek at it reveals it is an ordinary crown, so for me it's value will come from the auction we'll put it on. That's it.

As for the rest?

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

[A Soul has been absorbed!]

These bitches really just gave me normal Souls! High King my goddamn ass, brother!

Aurelia looks at the crown in her hands, then up at me, "I'd be put to the stake too since I am helping you." Partners in crime, baby!

"Well, we are done here…" I hum, then jab my thumb behind me, "Wanna grab the last valuable thing here?" Her gaze flickers towards the large Word Wall at the end of the small Crypt, and a smile spreads across her lips as she nods and steps forward.

I expected there to be some treasures or something, but maybe they thought the value of the Crown was more than enough, or perhaps those that buried Borgas here just yoinked all the treasures since he was dead and gone. Greed can overpower loyalty and respect with ease, after all.

Especially if it's a lot of treasures.

The Crypt is small too. Smaller than the living room me and Aurelia share.

Beyond the doors there's a small set of stairs, the large throne Borgas was sat on, four black coffins behind him, then further behind lay the Word Wall.

The Crown and Word Wall are clearly the only treasures here.

"I can slow down time!?" Came Aurelia shout from behind me not even a second later.

I go to turn around and speak when- "Tiid-!" "Boo!" I jump when Aurelia is suddenly in my face, a cackle leaving her lips as she leans back.

She scared the shit outta me…

"Oh, I am going to have so much fun with this!" She giggles like a little girl, and I couldn't help but snort softly. Am I corrupting her?

Maybe a tiny bit…

"Come on, we're done here, so let's leave." I call out with a hum, resting my staff on my shoulders as I start walking down the tunnel.

Aurelia skips ahead, clearly in a very good mood. Guess if I ever want to ask her out on a date, I should bring her to kill Necromancers and get Word Walls.

The time of flower and dinner with candles is gone, it seems.

"That didn't take too long." The happy woman muses as we enter the tunnel with the chewed up Necromancer, "Barely half-an-hour, I'd say."

"We could stop somewhere else, if you aren't tired." I offer, leading her to hum softly and tilt her head in thought. "We do have a Riekling camp to clear. Another request from the Jarl." Dunno how the Rieklings are here, but apparently they fuck and breed like rabbits, so it ain't a surprise they are a problem.

"Sounds like a plan. I feel full of energy after I absorbed that Dragon Soul." She muses as we step outside of Korvanjund and move to rise up the stairs. "I'm irking for a good fight!"

I snort as we slowly rise to the top, "Let's go find one then-"

A roar shakes the air, and a giant beast crashes down before us, turning trees into pieces and sending powdered snow in the air.

Said air soon starts to warp, a fiery red dragon bigger than Mirmulnir growling within the expanding field of heat, golden eyes locked upon Aurelia.

The woman tenses as the Dragon stands tall, showing its golden belly while his massive wings spread wide apart, sharp claws digging trenches into the frozen ground with ease.

"My kin…" The large Dragon speaks, voice regal and powerful, "Dovah- I, Yolosqah, have come to challenge you." Steam and embers billow out of his nostrils and jaw, his breath turning the surrounding snow into water and then steam within a split second.

"The winner, devours the others Soul." His wings fold, his claws flex, and flame licks across his fiery red scales.

Aurelia clenches her jaw and slowly reaches for her blade while I hum and stare at the honestly cool as fuck Dragon.

"At least it's just one-" Another roar, distant and high above us.

I look up, and a sickly green Dragon circles us from above, looking around the size of the Dragon before us.

I sniff.

"Leo, for the love of Arkay, learn to shut the fuck up."

"...Fair."

A.N. Leonidas the Skelly Boi gets jumped by Dragons!?

Looks like the threat of getting their backs blown out attracts them en masse. That is the only activity they can get, after all.

Hope y'all enjoyed it!

P.S- Formatting is still shit as Patreon does not wish to fix it, and i doubt it they ever will add a proper writing page, hence apologies due to how horrid chapters will look from now on.

Lots of love to y'all still!